Spider-Man hits $2.4 billion worldwide to crown Hollywood’s best summer since the pandemic

For the third consecutive summer, Hollywood has witnessed a resurgence in box office success, marking a remarkable turnaround for an industry that has faced challenges throughout the pandemic, strikes, and the rise of streaming services. The latest evidence of this trend can be found in the domestic box office, which reached a season total of $4.6 billion through August 31, a 26.1% increase from the previous year, and just shy of the record set in 2013.

The strong performances of two blockbuster franchises, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "The Odyssey," have been instrumental in driving this resurgence. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," the fourth standalone film starring Tom Holland, led the box office for six straight weeks, collecting $18 million over the weekend. Sony anticipates $23.3 million for the four-day Labor Day weekend.

The film has already amassed a staggering $2.4 billion globally. The second-place movie, "The Odyssey," directed by Christopher Nolan, added $13 million domestically over the weekend, bringing its worldwide total to $1.63 billion. Over $1 billion of this figure has been generated from international sales, making it the first film to achieve that milestone since the 2009 release of "Avatar."

The success of these films has helped Hollywood achieve its best summer since pre-pandemic times, with total domestic box office sales reaching $4.6 billion through August 31.